Re: Knock-on effects
The knock-on effect has actually gone the other way. It is the trend towards direct local-to-local flights which has killed the demand for hub-and-spoke flights and the associated hub-to-hub giants. That was the A380's main market, so the ones already in service are more than enough to meet the demand.
The other thing that killed it is the advent of very reliable giant turbofans, making it safe to fly trans-oceanic on only two engines; that significantly cuts cost over running four of the perishers.
Biting the hand that feeds IT
